Part of Louisiana Highway to Be Renamed After Mansfield Soldier

Almost 5 years ago, Army 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) Green Beret staff sergeant Richard Lee Vazquez was serving our country in the Middle East - it was his fifth tour of duty, and his third to Afghanistan. Unfortunately, that day would lead SSG Vazquez and his compatriots to the Panjwai province. That's where they would encounter the improvised explosive device (IED) that would ultimately take his life. The Weapons Sargent would die due to the injuries he received in the blast on Nov. 13th 2013.

Thanks to a move from the Louisiana State Legislature, his memory will live on with a permanent reminder of his courage, service, and sacrifice. On August 1st, 2018, a 12-mile stretch of LA Highway 175 from Mansfield to I-49 will be named the “SSG Richard Lee Vazquez Memorial Highway.”

SSG Vazquez's family currently lives in Mansfield, and is planning to attend the official renaming ceremony in August.